Apparatus for guiding paper forms



Dec. 7, 1937. JA 2,101,433

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING PAPER FORMS Filed April 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1937. P. A. JACKSON 2,101,433

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING BAPER FORMS Filed April 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYE PHIL/PA. JAcKso/y i ill Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATESSearch Hoom PATENT OFFICE Philip A. Jackson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor toWilliam C. Lamprechter, Cleveland Heights, Ohio,

trustee Application April 25, 1936, Serial No. 76,379

6 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriter attachments, and is adapted for usein maintaining accurate registration between a plurality of printedforms, which are adapted to be fed into the typewriter in strip form andto be cut off after each form has been completely typed.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the use of forms inmaintaining accurate registration in a typewriter between multiple formswhich are not connected at their side edges, particularly when suchforms are supplied in long continuous strips which are fedintermittently into the typewriter as soon as the typewriting operationis completed on any one form. Where the strips are connected together attheir edges, registration is maintained automatically but when they arenot connected there is a tendency of some of the forms to creep withreference to the other forms, and in addition the creepage isaccumulative, so that considerable effort and time must be expended inmaintaining by manual adjustment, the proper registration of the formsat each movement of them. Where a large number of forms are used thetime required for maintaining the registration is very objectionable.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to make an appliance, which isadapted to be used with a typewriter for automatically maintainingdisconnected forms in accurate registration, so as to permit any set tobe cut off at the completion of the typewriting operation withoutnecessitating manual adjustment of the succeeding forms, so as tomaintain the necessary degree of registration.

In this connection, my invention is well adapted for use not only inmaintaining accurate registration and alignment of a large number ofsuperimposed forms, but is also well adapted for moving the forms withreference to interposed sheets of transfer materials, so that thetransfer sheets may be repeatedly used until they are worn out.

A further object of my invention is to make an apparatus which can beapplied to existing typewriters and which can be readily operated tomove the forms quickly at the completion of the typing operation. Thetransfer sheet holding mechanism is adapted not only for use with formswhich have the edges disconnected, but also with those forms which havethe side edges connected in multi-folded form.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of atypewriter having my invention attached thereto; Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryside elevation showing the form moving apparatus in a different positionfrom that illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the form moving mechanism in stillanother position; Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is aview similar to Fig. 3, but drawn to an enlarged scale showing themechanism in another position; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of theopposite side, and Fig. '7 is a section taken on line l-l in Fig. 2 anddrawn to an enlarged scale.

The apparatus, which I have devised, comprises a work support or tableIn which extends upwardly and preferably rearwardly of the typewriter,which is indicated generally at l I, and which is adapted to guide a webof superimposed forms I2 which may be stacked in a pile at the rear ofthe typewriter. The table preferably comprises a flat plate, havingpreferably two slots l4 extending longitudinally thereof and parallel toeach other, as shown in Fig. 4. The slots have a length sufficient toaccommodate the maximum length of individual forms that are intended foruse on the typewriter. The upper edge l5 of the table terminates in arearwardly and downwardly facing curved portion around which the formsextend as they move onto the table. In preparation for use a guide baris that is carried by the bearing blocks l1 extends across the table atthe upper edge thereof and provides a passageway through which the formsextend, as they move onto the table. Each longitudinally extending sideedge of the table has a flange 20 which extends rearwardly and whichoperates to support the actuating member which will hereinafter bedescribed.

To support the table with reference to the typewriter and at the sametime to effect lateral movement of it simultaneously with the movementof the typewriter carriage 2|, I connect the lower edge of the table tothe carriage by links 22. For convenience this connection, as shown inFigs. 1 and 4, is made to the carriage by securing members 23 and to thetable by a cross-bar 24, which in turn is supported on brackets 25 thatare attached to the edges of the table. The crossbar is spaced from thetable a slight distance so as to cooperate with it to provide a passageand through which the forms extend. In addition the cross bar may carrylaterally adjustable fingers 26 which are adapted to engage the sideedges of the forms for holding them in accurate alignment.

As an additional support for the table I have shown two sets of guiderollers 28, which are mounted at the rear of the table and adjacent theside edges of it. Each set has two rollers that are journalled on abracket 29 and have their axes disposed substantially parallel to eachvided by a bar 4 other but spaced apart vertically sufficiently far toadmit a rod 30 between the peripheries of each set of wheels. Tofacilitate contact between the wheels and the guide bar, the rim of eachwheel is shown as having a groove 3|. The guide bar 30 is held instationary position preferably by the arms 32, which extend forwardlyfrom the top of a standard that is positioned at the rear of. thetypewriter. The arms are rigidly connected to the bar in such a manneras will permit the table wheels to travel past each connection. Thestandard comprises a base of sheet metal 35 upon which the typewriter isadapted to rest so as to assure rigidity and at the rear of the base, aframe 36 in the form of a sheet metal plate extending upwardly andsupporting the arms 32, which have been previously described. Suitablegusset plates 31 may connect the base to the frame to assure rigiditytherebetween.

An additional support for the table is prowhich extends upwardly andalong the back of thetable and with the upper end thereofterminatingirna ball 4| that is adapted to move in a channel-shapedbracket 42 that is attached to the rear face of the table.

The webs of the channel may be curved inwardly to retain the ball inplace and yet to provide a slot through which the neck 43 of. the bar 40may move. The bar 40 is supported adjacent the midportion of the frame36 and preferably by bearing blocks 45 which are carried on a bracket46, the bracket in turn being rigidly mounted upon the frame. The lowerend of the bar is shown as being curved rearwardly to extend between thebearing blocks while a pin 41 may be used to hold the bar in correctposition with reference to the blocks. The pin however leaves the barfree for oscillation within the blocks to compensate for movement of thetable in a lateral direction while the typewriter is in operation.During such movement the head 4| on the bar slides in the guide channel42 and thereby operates to support the upper portion of the table in asatisfactory manner.

Each set of. forms that are intended for use with my appliance hasspaced openings which are so positioned as to register with the slots 4and which are preferably located adjacent the top edge of each set offorms. In Fig. 4, the openings 50 are shown directly beneath theperforated lines 5| which serve to facilitate sepa- I ration of theindividual sets of forms.

The openings 50 are utilized not only in main. taining the superimposedforms in accurate registration but also in propelling the forms alongthe table at the desired time. To accomplish this purpose a set of pinsare mounted upon a plate 56 which extends across the front face of theplaten and which is pivotally mounted at 51 to a carriage 58. Thecarriage in turn is adapted to be moved lengthwise of the table for thepurpose of pulling the forms downwardly so long as the pins 55 projectthrough the openings in the forms. The pins however due to the pivotalmounting of the plate 56 are adapted to be withdrawn from the holes, atwhich time the carriage can be moved along the table without moving theforms. This feature is useful in the operation of the device whichhereafter will be explained. The carriage is arranged to provide asupport for the interleaved strips of transfer material and to this endthe carriage is shown as having brackets extending laterally andoutwardly from each edge thereof and each bracket is illustrated ashaving a pair of pins 6| opposite end of. the bar free to extend intothe forms and to terminate short of the connected edges of the forms. Itis to be understood that any number of bars may be supported in thismanner and that the number used corresponds to the number of sheets oftransfer material that are employed. The carriage 58 in addition tosupporting the plate 56 and brackets 60 carries a guide bar whichextends transversely and near the top thereof and a second guide bar 66which extends transversely and adjacent the lower portion thereof. Theforms pass beneath these two guide bars, so that the pins 55 may bemanipulated without pulling the forms away from the platen. Tofacilitate the pulling of the pins out of the forms, the lower edge ofthe plate 56 is curved upwardly and forwardly as shown at 61 in Fig. 1to provide a trough into which the fingers of an operator can beconveniently placed. Similarly the lower edge of the guide bar 66 mayhave a flanged portion extending forwardly as at 68 to provide a thumbrest against which pressure may be exerted while the finger trough 61 isbeing depressed. It is to be understood that the pivotal mounting of theplate 56 is such that whenever the finger trough 61 is depressed, thepins are pulled out ofthe openings in the forms.

During normal operation of the typewriter the pins 55 extend throughopenings 50 in the forms and the carriage 58 is thereby pulleddownwardly with the forms as the typewriter platen 10 is rotated duringuse. At the completion of the typing operation, the carriage 58 willhave been moved downwardly, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2.Accordingly, to remove the completed forms and at the same time tomaintain the desired relationship between the transfer strips and thesucceeding forms the operator releases the tension between the forms andthe typewriter platen by means of the usual lever of the typewriter, andthen pushes upwardly on the bar 66. The upward motion retracts the formsand transfer sheets and continues until a pin H strikes a stop 12 whichmay comprise the lower end of an arm 13 that is carried by a bracket 14,which in turn is mounted on one of the table side flanges 20. A spring15 serves to urge the plate 56 towards the forms, and thereby to holdthe pins 55 in position within the openings 50 during the upper movementof the carriage.

The contact between the pin 1| and stop 12 arrests the upward travel ofthe carriage and forms. The operator then replaces the tension on thetypewriter platen, for at such time the lower edges of the transferstrips have cleared the region in which pressure is placed against thetypewriter platen, but there is still an overhanging portion of theforms indicated at 16 in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, as a result of which, thetransfer strips may be moved independently of the forms. The movement ofthe transfer strips independently of the forms may be accomplished bydepression of the finger trough 61 which pulls the pins out of theopenings in the forms, whereupon the operator pushes the carriageupwardly. When the pins are pulled out of the openings, the pin llclears the stop 12, whereupon the carriage is free to be moved upwardlyto the position shown in Fig. 3. Inasmuch as the pressure applyingmechanism pulls the forms into contact with the typewriter platen, itfollows that as the carriage is moved upwardly, the transfer strips aremoved with it relative to the forms. The upward motion is continueduntil the pin ll clears the top edge 11 (Fig. 3) of the stop 12,whereupon pressure on the finger trough 61 is released. The relativemovement of the carriage with reference to the forms removes the pins 55out of contact with the openings so that when the plate 56 is releasedthe pins ride upon the surface of the forms and at such time the stop 11is in the path of the pin 1| so that any downward motion of the forms,such as occurs when the typewriter platen is rotated, occurs without acorresponding movement of the carriage 58. The downward movement of theforms continues until the succeeding set of the openings 50 is broughtinto registration with the pins 55, at which time the spring 15 pullsthe pins into the openings, and at the same time, moves the pin 'Ilinwardly until it clears the rearward corner of the stop 11, whereuponfurthr movement of the forms by operation of the platen I0 causes thecarriage to move downwardly with them. By the time the pins have entereda succeeding set of openings the forms will have been advanced clear ofthe platen sufficiently far to permit the finished set of forms to betorn off the strips. Thereupon, the succeeding set is in position foruse.

As the operator manipulates the typewriter platen to advance the forms,the pin ll starts downwardly and bears against the cam surface 80 on therearwardface of the stop 12. Such downward motion causes the arm 13 tomove forwardly about its pivot 8| until the pin clears the stopwhereupon the arm falls by gravity until it engages a stop 82 on thebracket H at which time the stop 12 is in its original position whereit. may

engage the pin 'Il on the upward movement of the carriage. The arms 14may be adjustably positioned on the table by means of a thumb 0 screw 85to suit any particular size of forms for which the attachment isdesigned to be used.

The operation of the appliance is as follows: Assuming that the formshave been laid upwardly over the top of the table d threaded beneath theguide bars IS, the guide bar 65, the guide bar 68, the guide bar 24, andthence around the typewriter platen, and assuming further that thestrips of transfer material have beemmounted in position upon the bars62 and positioned upon the supporting pins 6|, then the arm 13 carryingthe stop ".12 is so positioned on the side of the table that when thepins II are in contact with the lower face of the stop, the pins 55 willbe in engagement with the openings 50 in the forms and at the same time,the lower edges of the transfer strips will be out of the region inwhich pressure is applied against the typewriter platen but thesuperposed leading edges of the forms will be within the pressureregion. To advance the forms for use it is only necessary to advance thetypewriter platen in the usual manner. The typewriter is used in thecustomary way during which time the table It is moved laterally with thetypewriter carriage by virtue of the connecting links 22, the guiderolls 28, the guide bar 30, and the oscillatable supporting rod 40. Atthe completion of the typewriting operation, thepressure on thetypewriter platen may be released and then the carriage 58 together withthe forms may be pushed upwardly by the exertion of thumb pressure uponthe finger bar 68. The upward motion is continued until the pin' Hstrikes the stop I2 thereupon the pressure is applied against thetypewriter platen, and the operator presses downwardly on the fingertrough 61. This action withdraws the pins from the form openings andmoves the pin ll forwardly to clear the stop 12," thereupon the carriageis moved upwardly an additional amount until the pin H clears the upperedge "ll of the stop 12; during the upward movement of the carriage theforms have been held stationary, and consequently when the fingerpressure is released against the trough 61, the pins engage the formsbut out of contact with the openings therein. The release of fingerpressure upon the trough 61 allows the spring 15 to establishcontactbetween the pins 55 and the surface of the forms, and also tomove the pin ll above the stop 11; thereupon the operator rotates thetypewriter platen, and consequently moves the portion of the succeedingset of forms is in position for use. It is to be understood that thereis sufficient space between the top edges of the forms and the firstline to be typed to assure the interposition of the transfer materialbetween the forms during the typing operation. As soon as the pins enterthe succeeding set of openings the pin ll clears the rearward corner ofthe stop 11, as shown in Fig. 5 and consequently succeed ing downwardmotion of the carriage forces the arm 13 to move forwardly about itspivot 8i out of the path of the pin 1 I. After the clearance has takenplace the arm [3 falls back into its normal position where it is' againin place to arrest the next upward travel of the pin 1!.

My invention has resulted in a means by which long continuous forms maybe fed intermittently through a writing machine without necessitating anobjectionable amount of time in maintaining registration between theforms. The typist can quickly manipulate the plate 56 to retract theforms for moving the carbon inserts out of the completed forms and thenmay quickly advance the completed forms through the typewriting machineand sever them from the strips. By means of this attachment, thetransfer sheets may be used repeatedly and may readily be insertedbetween the strips whenever desired. In addition the attachment issuitable not only for feeding continuous strips which are connected attheir longitudinal edges, but also for feeding strips which aredisconnected at their longitudinal edges.

I claim:

1. An attachment for a writing machine comprising in combination, astandard, a guide bar carried thereby, a table, rollers journalled inthe table and engaging the guide bar and an oscillatable bar alsomounted on the standard and engaging the table.

\ 2. An attachment for a writing machine comprising in combination, atable, a standard, the standard having a base upon which the writingmachine rests, roller means for supporting the table in upright positionupon the standard and for movement with reference to it, and a memberhaving one end pivotally mounted on the standard and having the otherend pivotally mounted on the table.

3. An attachment for a writing machine, comprising in combination, atable, means for supporting it at the rear of the writing machine, atransfer strip carrier'movable along the table, the table being adaptedto receive a long continuous strip'of forms, each of which has anopening therein, a plate extending across the table and pivotallymounted. on the carrier, and having means thereon adapted toenteropenings in said forms, means for normally urging the plate towardstheforms, the plate having a pin thereon, a stop carried by the table andinterposed in the path of the pin when the plate is in one position withreference to the forms, the pin being adapted to be moved out of thepath of the stop whenever the plate is moved with reference to thecarrier to release the forms, a second stop against which the pin isadapted to engage when the plate is allowed to assume its normalposition so as to hold the carriage against movement while the forms aremoved with reference to the table, the second named stop having suchsize that when the means on the plate entersthe openings in the forms,the pin clears the stop, whereby the carrier and forms are free to movewith reference to the table.

4. In an attachment for a writing machine, the I combination with atable that is adapted to receive a long continuous strip of forms, eachhaving openings therein, a transfer strip carrier movable along thetable, a form engager pivotally mounted on the carrier, a spring actingon the engager to move it normally toward the forms, a stop carried bythe table and interposed in the path of said engager, said engager beingadapted when moved about its pivot to clear the stop so as to permittravel of the carrier beyond the stop, a shoulder spaced from the stopfor holding the carrier against movement with reference to the tablewhile the forms are moved with reference to the table, and means forreleasing the carrier automatically upon contact of the engager with theopenings in said forms.

5. In an attachment for a typewriter, the combination with a table, astationary support, an arm pivotally mounted on the support and having apivotal and sliding connection with the table, a rail carried by thesupport and rollers journalled in the table and adapted to move alongsaid rail.

6. An attachment for a typewriting machine comprising in combination, atable adapted to be mounted at the rear of the machine and means forsupporting the table in a substantially upright position with referenceto the machine, said means comprising a stationary support near thelower end of the table, an arm movably mounted in the support andextending upwardly along the table, and means for providing a slidingand oscillating connection between the arm and the table.

PHILIP A. JACKSON.

